Mother Tongue Language

Vision:
Learn to love the language • Love to learn the language

Mission: To nurture Kranjians to love and
appreciate their Mother Tongue Languages, to stay rooted in tradition and
values, and to prepare them for a changing world.

Key Programmes

In line with ST1 in Nurturing future-ready leaders with a heart to serve, the Mother Tongue Curriculum is customised to the different learning needs and abilities of all student segments. The programmes are categorised into Core, Enrichment and Support categories.

In the category of ‘Core’, the MTL department uses the Newspaper Reading Programme to incorporate global and national issues into classroom lessons. Students read MTL newspapers and magazines on Wednesday mornings from 7.40 am to 7.55 am. MTL teachers will then follow up with newspaper teaching at least once a week to expose students to current affairs and create a platform for students to cultivate a habit in caring for the society.

Besides that, the department places great emphasis on inculcating a positive reading habit in our students, by engaging them beyond textbook learning, exposing them to modern literature and interesting text-types and vocabulary, ultimately making learning MTL a fun and fruitful experience.

Through the use of Thinking Routines, the department aims to integrate thinking skills in lesson design to raise students’ level of engagement in learning and to bring about deep learning and joy of learning. We provide opportunities for authentic application of their learning (ThR, Critical thinking and innovative thinking skills) via alternative assessment approach, i.e. oral presentation, group project, book review & peer evaluation etc.

In the category of ‘Enrichment’, the MTL department organised MTL fortnight programmes which is aimed at creating an immersive environment for the learning of Mother Tongue languages through a wide range of activities related to Mother Tongue languages and cultures. These activities provide authentic opportunities for students to use their Mother Tongue language and experience the culture. Students attended workshops, day-camps, forums and hands on sessions such as Thoranam making, Agal Vilakku painting, traditional games, seal carving, fan painting, blow painting, lantern making, opera mask painting as well as martial arts. Renowned local singer, writer and song- writer Jiu Jian was invited to share with students on his journey in song writing and how he developed interest in the language. A session on cross talk was conducted and students had the opportunity to learn more on this traditional form of art amidst bouts of laughter. Other activities includes learning journeys to Fort Canning, Indian Heritage Centre and Malay Heritage Centre. Such trips allow our students to be exposed to the history and culture in a real-life setting. We hope that these activities will enrich our students’ learning experiences and develop them into individuals who love their culture and language.

The department also organized several events, such as Pongal Festival, Chinese New Year Celebrations, Hari Raya Celebrations, Deepavali Celebrations, co-organized Mid-autumn Festival with Yew Tee CCC, enabling students to learn beyond classroom context and strengthen our students’ sense of cultural heritage and identity.

Talent development is considered carefully with the department taking varied approaches in providing opportunities for development of students in their different talent areas to their fullest potential. For example, the department offers opportunities to students who show interest in stretching their potential in the subject by involving them in roles such as writing, editing, emceeing and performing for creative CL essay compilation- Kspiration publications and launching. We also provides selected students the exposure through numerous competition and workshop platforms to stretch students beyond meeting syllabus requirements. Some of the competitions and workshops are

CL: National Creative Story Writing Competition, Author-In-Residence Programme, World Book Day and Literature under the April Sky, Cultural Heritage Walk to Chinatown and Bukit Pasoh

In the category of ‘Support’, instructional programme (IP) coaching sessions are provided for selected students who are in need of academic support by their MTL teachers. Other support structure such as O & N Level Intensive MTL/HMTL Exam Revision Workshops, Just-in-time practice for O & N Level Oral Exam Revision Workshops which caters to student needs proved an important move to support the graduating class students.